Puerto Rico Sea Grant Briefing Book 1 Puerto Rico Sea Grant 2015 Briefing Book
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Puerto Rico Sea Grant Briefing Book 1 Puerto Rico Sea Grant 2015 Briefing Book KNOWING PUERTO RICO SEA GRANT 1 PROGRAM LEADERSHIP 1 CONNECTING STAKEHOLDERS AND THE CLIENTELE: MARINE OUTREACH PROGRAM (MOP) 1 IN TOUCH WITH THE PUBLIC: SEA GRANT COMMUNICATIONS 1 ONE STEP AHEAD: LEADING RESEARCH EFFORTS 2 ADVANCING OCEAN LITERACY: THE CHALLENGE OF MARINE EDUCATION 3 ENGAGEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS IN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE AND STEWARDSHIP 4 ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PUERTO RICO SEA GRANT MISSION: A BRIEF LOOK 4 OUR PARTNERS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES 6 FEDERAL 6 LOCAL AND STATE 6 NGOS 6 INTERNATIONAL 6 INDUSTRY/BUSINESS 6 ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS 6 A PARTICIPATORY STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2017 7 THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO SEA GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION 7 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF PUERTO RICO SEA GRANT 8 SEA GRANT STAFF 9 SEA GRANT STUDENT STAFF 9 ADVISORY COUNCIL 10 LIST OF ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS 10 RESPONDING TO THE PAT CONCERNS 10 RECRUITING NEW TALENT 11 REVIEWERS 11 HOW OMNIBUS RFP PRIORITIES ARE SET 11 THE TECHNICAL REVIEW PANEL 12 LEADERSHIP ON BOARDS & COMMITTEES 13 FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS 13 SUCCESS IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONS 13 REGIONAL MULTI PROGRAM PROJECTS 13 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 14 PROGRAM FUNDING 15 LEVERAGED FUNDS 16 FUNDED RESEARCH 17 ADDENDUM 18 Knowing Puerto Rico Sea Grant The coastlines of the archipelago of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, includes near-shore reefs, near- shore islands, mangroves, wetlands, estuaries, tidal flats, sand dunes and the coastal land margin. The biodiversity contained in these ecosystems is threatened by climate-related changes, seasonal to decadal climate processes and human population pressures. The increased incidence of storms, coral diseases, human-induced habitat degradation and intensive fishing are significantly responsible for observed declines in associated fishes and invertebrates. Our coastal zone is a finite resource and its capacity to withstand intensive use and development has reached a critical limit. Approximately twenty-four percent (24%) of the coastline of Puerto Rico has been developed, fifty-six percent (56%) of the population live in the 44 coastal municipalities of the archipelago, and ninety percent (90%) of the hotels and tourism infrastructure are located and dependent on coastal and marine resources. Preliminary findings of our strategic planning process demonstrated challenges and suggested adjustments that set our sights on the education of constituents to spur changes in behavior that would lead to conservation and sustainable development. As an archipelago of island communities, we need to become more resilient to a changing climate and consider implementing a number of adaptive strategies, including public awareness and education. The Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program has been the key player in the sustainable development of Puerto Rico’s marine and coastal resources since 1979. Through strong educational efforts, efficacious applied research and aggressive marine extension projects, we have effectively tackled ocean and coastal issues faced everyday by our users’ communities. Sea Grant has responded swiftly to the stringent challenges faced by Puerto Rico’s coastal and marine resources through emphasis in three focus areas: Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats, Education and Workforce Development and Hazard Resilient Communities and Economies. Through the utilization of an interdisciplinary approach, which combines ecosystem based management with human dimensions, the UPRSCG has evolved into a diversified program which addresses coastal and marine emerging issues by maintaining its focus on the goals and objectives set forth in our Strategic Plan and those of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Sea Grant College Program and the University of Puerto Rico. Program Leadership Arguably, Puerto Rico Sea Grant is an institution recognized by its leadership in research, outreach and education. The number and quality of the partnerships, the constant communication with the stakeholders and clientele, and the request for our expertise and collaboration in a number of initiatives (fisheries regulations, scientific outreach, beach safety, climate change, resilient coastal communities, marine protected areas, ocean literacy, joint publications, boards and extension projects) serve as example of our leadership. Connecting stakeholders and the clientele: Marine Outreach Program (MOP) The Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program is considered a trustworthy program by the clientele of marine resource users, and thus is consulted on a consistent basis due to our technical competence, unquestionable commitment to the sustainable development of our natural attractions and resources, a genuine affection for the clientele and an effective performance with the public and the private industry. We are partners with Federal and Commonwealth agencies on resource management programs, including highly migratory species, marine protected areas management plans and stewardship, coastal risk assessment, waterfront planning and development, beach access, coastal tourism and marine recreation, safety and management and climate change. Our MOP is the key component leading the task of forming partnerships, and engaging stakeholders. In touch with the public: Sea Grant Communications Our publications, posters, and videos are well recognized and highly praised. In fact, a number of partnerships are based on joint efforts in publications, TV programs, short videos and the dissemination of information. GeoAmbiente TV Program (WMTJ-TV SISTEMA TV)- As a co-sponsor of the 9 Emmy Award winning and 23 times nominees environmental programs GeoAmbiente and Aventura Científica, PRSG’s presence on local television has been amplified through its dissemination to more than 11 states by their alliance with the broadcasting company WAPA America. Puerto Rico Sea Grant Briefing Book 1 Our collaboration with WMTJ-TV is an innovative education and marketing strategy that offers us the opportunity to reach a vast audience directly from the only Puerto Rico-PBS member station. Fuete y Verguilla (The Vertical Line) In a collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Center for Coastal Studies (CIEL, by its Spanish acronym), PRSG produces the quarterly magazine Fuete y Verguilla (The Vertical Line), a publication for artisanal fishers, resource managers, scientists, and people interested on topics related to commercial fishing. Through this magazine, PRSG informs fishers about laws and regulations, fishery closures, scientific aspects about fisheries, economic opportunities, fish and seafood safety, safety at sea, cultural and social aspects of fishing communities, and ways to cope with problems related to commercial fishing. Fuete y Verguilla has printed and electronic versions. Puerto Rico Sea Grant in social networks Nowadays, people of all ages and different backgrounds communicate and get informed through the Internet. Social networks are key instruments to disseminate information and educate constituents about the wise use of marine and coastal resources, its conservation and sustainable development. Our Facebook page has received more than 2,500 “likes” and almost 1,100 persons and organizations “follow” us on Twitter. Social networks also allow us to: 1) share new publications and disseminate relevant information through our webpage, 2) broadcast events, and 3) receive feedback from our stakeholders and resource users. Marejada (Swell) Marejada is PRSG’s official magazine. Through this publication we disseminate information related to marine and coastal resources, scientific research, public policy issues, ocean literacy, coastal community resilience, sustainable development and community-based efforts. Marejada is published twice a year and is widely distributed along the Archipelago of Puerto Rico, and through our webpage in its digital format. One Step Ahead: Leading Research Efforts The need to analyze ecological and social systems in an interdisciplinary approach was recognized by our program in the early 1980’s, thanks to the vision of our past directors. Our program promotes applied research efforts that are focused on people’s knowledge, values and behaviors and how these influence and are affected by decisions related to the conservation, management and policy development of coastal and marine resources. Besides the interdisciplinary nature of the projects, our research efforts harmonize with the Program’s vision and mission and embrace innovativeness and the incorporation of graduate and undergraduate students. During the last 30 years, Sea Grants’ integrated research, education and extension efforts have generated empirical data and conceptual frameworks that are being applied by coastal and marine resource managers in diverse policy development, evaluation and implementation processes. Below are a few excellent examples of how our program is investing in applied research, in favor of Puerto Rico’s coastal and marine resources. Advancing our efforts to emphasize the relevance of the human dimension in the management of coastal and marine resource users, PRSG funded a project where researchers developed a methodological blueprint to engage mixed qualitative and quantitative methods to provide policy makers with critical information for fulfilling the true objective of public policy: to enhance people’s overall quality of life and well-being. Other human dimensions research provided information regarding commercial and recreational